§ Mr. C. ROBERTSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the amount of coal used yearly in brewing, apart from malting, is about 1,100,000 tons; and what reduction in that amount has now been arranged for?
Sir A. STANLEYI believe that the amount of coal used in brewing apart from malting in the year 1917–1918 was less than 900,000 tons. In June I arranged with representatives of the Brewers' Society to co-operate with the Controller of Coal Mines in attempting to effect a reduction of 25 per cent. in the estimated requirements for the current year, and active steps are being taken to attain this object. During the quarter ending 30th September 1918, which is the heaviest brewing quarter, the consumption of coal in brewing was under 200,000 tons.